Things to do in Norrtälje - 11 tips for the capital of Roslagen.

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | The charming small town by Norrtäljeviken offers cobblestone alleys, old wooden houses, cozy cafes, exciting museums and nice walks along the water. We have visited Norrtälje many times and share our 11 best tips here!

Things to do in Norrtälje – attractions and excursions

Norrtälje is often called the capital of Roslagen, and it is a city that we like to return to. Peter has a special connection to the area as he spent a lot of time on Blidö when he was growing up. We have therefore visited both Norrtälje and the surrounding area many times over the years.

1. Stroll among old wooden houses in Norrtälje

The centre of Norrtälje is incredibly charming with beautiful old houses. At Stora Torget is, among other things, the Town Hall, a beautiful yellow wooden building with a bell tower on the roof.

You can also take a look in different alleys. For example, we looked in where it says ”Dahlinska gårdarna”. On a sign you can read that these have been owned by the Dahlin family since 1919.

There are a lot of shops with, for example, clothes and other items. Peter recognised the toy shop from when he was little, and it is still in the same building.

2. Discover Norrtälje's cafés and restaurants

There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés and bakeries in Norrtälje. The oldest café in the town is called Café Hörnan and is located in, well, a corner. A sign says that the café dates back to 1912.

We did not have coffee this time, but instead chose to eat sushi at Rollin' Balls. Here we got a really nice and good sushi, with several exciting vegetable accessories.

3. Walk along the Norrtälje River and discover Art in the River

One of the nicest things to do in central Norrtälje is to walk along the Norrtäljeån. Here the water is lined with old wooden houses, greenery and charming little bridges. We especially like how the houses are reflected in the water and how it feels like you are in the middle of a small idyll, even though you are in the middle of the city.

During the summer, the Norrtäljeån is also transformed into a unique art exhibition through the event Konst i ån. Works of art are placed in and around the water, and the exhibition gives the walk another dimension. The works on display vary from year to year, so there may be something new to discover even if you have been here before.

Even when there is no art exhibition going on, the walk along the river is one of our favorites in Norrtälje. It is a nice place to just stroll around, take photos and enjoy the small town environment.

4. Visit the Society Park at Norrtäljeviken

Societetsparken is a green and pleasant park by Norrtäljeviken, right near the city center. The park has its roots in the 19th century, when Norrtälje was a popular health resort and seaside resort. Summer guests came here to swim, socialize and enjoy the fresh air, and the park became a natural meeting place for seaside life.

Today, Societetsparken is a nice place for a walk or a moment of relaxation by the water. There are large grassy areas and the opportunity to sit down and watch the boats moving in Norrtäljeviken. During the year, the park is also used for various events.

We especially like the proximity to the water and the slightly old-fashioned seaside resort feel. It's easy to imagine how summer guests strolled here more than a hundred years ago, although today's boating life looks different, of course.

5. Discover the Cape of Love and Borgmästarholmen

If you want to get even closer to the water, you can continue to Kärleksudden, a nice area by Norrtäljeviken. There is a small swimming area here where you can take a dip on warm summer days, and the area is also great for those who just want to sit down and enjoy the view over the water.

Right next door is Borgmästarholmen, which is reached via a small bridge. Here you can walk on green paths and experience nature right next to the city. When we were here, cows were also grazing on the islet, which made the environment extra rural and charming.

Borgmästarholmen also has a slightly eerie history. According to a local story, a mayor hid on the islet after committing a serious crime. We don't know if the story is true, but it certainly adds another dimension to the place!

For us, the combination of Kärleksudden and Borgmästarholmen is a nice tip for anyone who wants to combine Norrtälje's charming city district with a bit of nature, swimming and relaxation.

6. See Norrtälje from the lookout point and discover the aerial lighthouse

There is a viewpoint in Norrtälje and signs show how to get there from several directions. At the top of the site there is a stone lookout, but no one has bothered to trim the trees, so it is difficult to admire the view from there. If you stand right next to it, however, you can look out over Norrtälje.

Not far from the viewpoint is the aerodrome in Norrtälje. An aerial beacon is a lighthouse used for aerial navigation. In Sweden, aerial beacons were mainly used in the 1930s. Today there are only three aerial beacons left in the country and the only one standing on its original site is Flygfyr 143, which stands on top of the water tower in Norrtälje.

7. Visit the Pythagoras Industrial Museum

The Pythagoras Industrial Museum is an interesting museum that takes you on an exciting journey through time. Machinery, office equipment and the caretaker's house are still there as they once were.

You can walk around with a guide or audio guide and understand what life was like for those who worked here. At certain times you can also start one of the factory's spark-ignition engines. We found the visit here incredibly interesting and many years after the visit we still think of the museum every time we hear a spark-ignition engine.

READ MORE: Pythagoras Industrial Museum - step into history

8. Take a trip to Penningby Castle

Just outside Norrtälje lies Penningby Castle. The solid stone building is one of Sweden's oldest non-church buildings and was first built in the 15th century. In 1673, it was converted from a defence fortress to a castle. The castle is open to the public at certain times during the summer.

Right next to the castle is a large gift shop called Linneladan. This is a really charming place where you can find everything from clothes to interior design.

9. Experience the Viking Age at the Storholmen Viking Village

Would you like to take a little trip back in time to the Viking Age? Then we can recommend the Viking Village Storholmen, located by Lake Erken just outside Norrtälje. Here is an open-air museum with reconstructed Viking Age buildings, where you can get an insight into how people lived about a thousand years ago.

What makes Vikingabyn Storholmen special is that history is brought to life. Here you will meet committed people in contemporary clothing who demonstrate crafts and tell stories about life during the Viking Age. It is something completely different than just reading about history in a museum!

We have visited the Viking village ourselves and especially appreciated the lively environment and the enthusiasm of those who work here. It is an exciting excursion destination for history enthusiasts of all ages, but perhaps especially for families with children. Just keep in mind that the operation is seasonal, so check visiting hours in advance.

READ MORE: Vikingabyn Storholmen - open-air museum in Roslagen.

10. Hike in a nature reserve near Norrtälje

Norrtälje and Roslagen offer very beautiful nature, with forests, lakes, coastal landscapes and a large number of nature reserves. If you want to combine a visit to Norrtälje with a nature experience, there are plenty of opportunities for walks and hikes.

We have visited, among other things, Norr Malma nature reserve, which is located by Lake Erken, not far from the Viking village of Storholmen. Here you can experience a beautiful natural area with forests and proximity to the water. It is a nice excursion destination if you want to get away from the city environment for a while.

Another nature reserve we have visited is Riddersholm Nature Reserve, which is located on the coast near Kapellskär. Here you will encounter a different type of nature, with forests, open fields and proximity to the sea. We have been to the area in connection with a visit to Kapellskär's camping.

The beauty of the nature around Norrtälje is the variety. One moment you can be strolling among old wooden houses in the city center, and a short drive later you can be in the forest or by the sea. For us, that combination is a big part of Roslagen's charm.

11. Discover the Roslagen archipelago and islands

Norrtälje is an archipelago municipality with lots of islands, and there are many different boat trips to take. For example, you can go with Blidösundsbolaget to Norröra, that is, Tjorven's Salt Crow.

There are also islands in Norrtälje municipality that you can visit by car, such as Yxlan, Blidö and Väddö. Peter spent his summers as a child on Blidö and we still go there quite often, as Peter has relatives there. Visits to the archipelago offer idyllic coastal views and a relaxed atmosphere – and for us, also spending time with family.

More attractions and things to do in Norrtälje

Of course, there is even more to discover in Norrtälje and the surrounding area! For those who like history, art and culture, there are several interesting museums, in addition to the Pythagoras Industrial Museum and the Storholmen Viking Village, which we have already told you about.

In the middle of the city is Norrtälje art centre, where you can see exhibitions of contemporary art. Another place to visit is Roslag Museum, which tells the story of Norrtälje and Roslagen's history. Anyone interested in military history can instead visit Norrtälje Air Defence Museum, while Torsten Nordström Museum shows a preserved bourgeois home from the early 20th century.

Where can you stay in Norrtälje or park your campervan?

Central Norrtälje is a perfect starting point if you want to discover restaurants, shops and attractions. The archipelago is perfect for those who want to experience nature, the sea and excursions.

Pitches and campsites

When we last visited Norrtälje with our camper van, we parked in a parking lot right next to the bridge to Borgmästarholmen. There was no service here, but we were right by the water.

If you want to stay at a campsite, you will find Norrtälje campsite is located just outside central Norrtälje. If you are mainly looking for nature experiences, we can also recommend Kapellskär campsite, which is well-maintained and close to nature.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

• Things to do in Stockholm
• Things to do in Solna
• Things to do in Sundbyberg
• Things to do in Grisslehamn
• Things to do in Uppland